Moving rod viewed in different inertial frames

In summary, the problem involves two inertial frames, S and S', in standard configuration. S' is moving along the x-axis of S with velocity v. In S', a straight rod parallel to the x' axis moves in the y' direction with velocity u. The angle at which the rod is inclined to the x-axis in S is given by ##- tan^{-1}(\frac{γuv}{c^2})##, where ##γ## is the Lorentz factor and ##c## is the speed of light. The solution involves treating the front and back end of the rod as separate cases, and using the Lorentz transformation equations and the relativity of simultaneity to determine the coordinates of the ends
  • #1
Whitehole
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4

Homework Statement


Two inertial frames S and S' are in standard configuration, the frame S' is moving along the x-axis of S with velocity v. In S' a straight rod parallel to the x' axis moves in the y' direction with velocity u. Show that in S the rod is inclined to the x-axis at an angle ##- tan^{-1}(\frac{γuv}{c^2})##

Homework Equations


## t = γ(t' + \frac{vx'}{c^2}) ~~~ x = γ(x' + vt') ~~~ Lorentz~~Transformation##
## γ = \frac{1}{[1 - (\frac{v}{c})^2]^½} ~~~ Lorentz~~ Factor##

The Attempt at a Solution


From the relativity of simultaneity, the front and back end of the rod will not be seen by the observer in S as having the same position as seen by the observer in S', the front end will lag behind the back end since light from the front will travel a little bit longer than the back to reach S.
I will treat the front and back end as separate case, let P1, P2 be the back and front end respectively. Place P1 at x' = 0 so that P2 is at x' = L

As seen by S, P1 is
##t = γ( t' + 0 ) = γt' ~~⇒~~ t' = \frac{t}{γ}##
##x = γ( 0 + vt' ) = γvt' = vt##
##y = y' = ut' = \frac{ut}{γ}##
##P1 = ( vt, \frac{ut}{γ} )##

As seen by S, P2 is
##t = γ( t' + \frac{vL}{c^2} )~~⇒~~ t' = \frac{t}{γ} - \frac{vL}{c^2}##
##x = γ( L + vt' ) = γL + γvt' = γL + γv( \frac{t}{γ} - \frac{vL}{c^2} ) = γL + vt - γL\frac{v^2}{c^2} = γL(1 - \frac{v^2}{c^2} ) + vt = \frac{L}{γ} + vt##
##y = y' = ut' = u( \frac{t}{γ} - \frac{vL}{c^2} ) = \frac{ut}{γ} - \frac{uvL}{c^2}##
##P2 = ( vt + \frac{L}{γ}, \frac{ut}{γ} - \frac{uvL}{c^2})##

##tan(θ) = \frac{Δy}{Δx} = \frac{ \frac{ut}{γ} - \frac{uvL}{c^2} - \frac{ut}{γ} }{ vt + \frac{L}{γ} - vt } = \frac{ - \frac{uvL}{c^2} }{ \frac{L}{γ} } = -γ\frac{uv}{c^2}##

##tan(-θ) = -tan(θ)~~~⇒~~~ tan(-θ) = γ\frac{uv}{c^2} ~~~⇒~~~ θ = -~ tan^{-1}(γ\frac{uv}{c^2})##

Is my solution correct?
 
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  • #2
yes, correct !
 

1. What is the concept of "moving rod viewed in different inertial frames"?

The concept refers to the observation of a rod in motion from two different reference frames that are in a state of constant, uniform motion relative to each other.

2. How does the length of the rod change when viewed from different inertial frames?

According to the theory of special relativity, the length of the rod will appear to be shorter when viewed from a frame of reference that is in motion relative to the rod. This phenomenon is known as length contraction.

3. What is the cause of the observed length contraction in different inertial frames?

The observed length contraction is a result of the relativity of simultaneity. This means that events that are simultaneous in one frame of reference may not be simultaneous in another, causing the appearance of a shorter length in one frame compared to the other.

4. Does the speed of the rod affect the amount of length contraction observed in different inertial frames?

Yes, the amount of length contraction is directly proportional to the speed of the rod. The faster the rod is moving, the greater the observed length contraction will be.

5. Are there any other effects on the rod when viewed from different inertial frames?

In addition to length contraction, there is also a phenomenon known as time dilation, in which the time measured by an observer in motion will appear to be slower compared to an observer at rest. This effect is also a consequence of the relativity of simultaneity.

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